October Recap

The fall has brought lots of fun to our family -- a sudden love for the "mooo" (moon), to which we have to say "nigh-nigh" to every night, feeding Mabel and sometimes overfeeding her, eating new delights and anticipating the excitement of the coming holidays! Camille "decided" to be the moon for Halloween but as you can see, she changed her mind quite suddenly. So, we opted for dressing in mostly black (I'm sure I wouldn't get the mother-of-the year award for costume safety but hey...) and carrying around a cardboard moon (made by Daddy). This year's Halloween brought with it a love for chocolate. Oh the joy!

Third (fourth?) attempt at the costume...clearly a no-go.




















But, we salvaged the evening with trick-or-treating, which was a huge hit. It was so cute to see Camille get so excited to walk up to the door and get candy! She did her traditional "thank you" sign, which in sign language is the hand "taking a bow" from the chin (?). Camille interprets it as a real bow and dips her head and bends her knees while saying "ahhhh." It's the cutest thing ever and I have yet to get a good video of it. Rats. Still trying...















In the afternoons, Camille, Mabel and I go on a walk (well, a few steps here, then there, then up the hill, then back to the driveway...Mabel is pleased to get her business done but hasn't gotten to sniff much of the neighborhood lately) and soak up this gorgeous fall weather. Camille has found delight in separating out the white rocks from the red ones in our neighbor's yard and, pointing to the moon.

Pre-walk...warming up Travolta style...




















Last weekend, we also discovered the source of the yummiest pastries in the area at Guglhupf Bakery (I know I should make this a hyperlink but I'm on borrowed time - aka nap) in Durham. At nearly every local coffee shop I've visited in the Durham/Chapel Hill area, they always carry Guglhupf baked goods -- perfect with a latte. Little did I know, they had an actual restaurant! This will be a place we frequent, well, frequently! Camille loved the little sugar cookies that are hidden under the coffee mugs (clever) -- as soon as she saw it, her little hands reached over and... snatch! Yum!

We're still here!

Updates coming soon but just in case you were wondering, we are still alive! =)

Fun in the Sun!

A few highlights from the start of this already sweltering summer! And it's only June!

Hello Mr. Manatee! (For anyone who hasn't swam with the manatees, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Eric and I had the pleasure two summers ago. They are the most gentle creatures -- it's like swimming with cows!)













I look GOOD in these glasses!




















And back home...literally 48 hours after leaving Florida...good-bye cast!















Can't I have a normal pool like other kids? (this looks so redneck!)















If Dr. Seuss lives on your bookshelf...
(Goat and...) Goo Goo Goggles!

Let's Book a Playdate!

What do you say, Ruby, sometime this fall? Late summer? We can't wait to give you a big hug and welcome you to the Girls Club!

Almost...














So close...we'll call it good!















Love,
Your three giggling gal pals, Camille, Addie & Sam

AD and Scott, we can't wait to give you guys big hugs too!

Go Team!

It seems this entire blog is dedicated to our little Camille (ok, it doesn't seem that way, it is that way) but I want to shift the focus on another little babe about to come into this world on Monday (or sooner?). Here's a cheer for you, Baby McVeigh -- we're looking forward to hearing of your safe arrival! We love you AD & Scott!

Hump day, not BUMP day!

We had a day, as folks like to say.

We had such a day that began with a tumble,
That landed us in the doctor's office with a grumble.
A bump on the head and an arm that hurt,
We saw a nice doctor and nurse named Gert (seriously).
After an urging from Dad,
We had a few X-rays that made us quite mad.
The tech smelled like smoke, this must be a joke!
We ended with a nice little cast that's bound not to last
'Cause the way that I chew it's no longer new.
Oh we had a day, as folks like to say.
A day we'd rather not repeat.
Thankfully we ended it with a special treat.

The jury's still out apparently on whether or not we actually like ice cream...

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the wonderful mothers out there (even those to four-legged creatures), you are so appreciated and loved! Thank you for all you do! And to my mom, even from afar you help out tremendously and I know I wouldn't be half the mother I am without your love and guidance. I am very grateful. I love you!

Our sweet little Camille surprised us this past week after multiple tries of cruising, standing up, falling, realizing crawling was much faster, waddling, etc., she is now walking! (Videos soon)

Was this really Camille one year ago?!


And today...

Take it Outside

Finally whatever technical difficulties I've been having have resolved themselves (I'm sure some sleep had something to do with it!) We've been soaking up that sunshine! The weather here has been wonderful lately, hints of a humid summer but for the most part, a delightful spring. One of Camille's absolute favorite activities is to go outside -- she actually starts laughing as the door to the porch is opened, it's very cute. Can't you just hear the laughter?!

Shuh-wiiiiing!

Let's dig in the mud!

5th time a charm?

YES!!

Well...one is better than none...anyone else having these problems? Too large of a file? I'll keep trying...

And, we're back!

At long last...putting it mildly, it's been a busy spring but we're back on track and ready to roll! After Camille's surgery, Eric needed a little knee repair and that coupled with a round of norovirus for everyone and now Bell's Palsy for Eric (hoping it goes away soon), blogging has been a the bottom of the list. Never to be deterred from rising to the occasion...onward! =) These are just a variety of pictures of the last few months, including a very special birthday! Also included are some pictures of Camille's first beach trip! We had a nice opportunity to go to Manteo (for my work, decided to make a combo 24 hour vacation out of it!) on Friday so away we went! While I worked, Camille and Eric ate some BBQ at Pigman's -- apparently a local favorite.

So what keeps our little sweetie entertained these days? She LOVES to eat -- I don't know if the contrast is so great from when she wasn't able to eat much or if she is just a born eater but she is adventurous and savors every bite of veggies, fruit (strawberries and bananas are favs), bread (Trader Joe's mini whole wheat bagels are a staple around here) and she's ventured into some meat. Camille seems to invent games wherever she goes: we have furniture rearranged daily (I think she sees furniture as "walkers" and uses any chair/table that moves to assist in walking, which she is not yet doing independently...fine with me!), removing cushions from chairs to climb into them (a game that lasts and lasts), and the ever-popular, let's race to the stairs and start climbing before Mom can find me! Camille is such a sweetheart -- she hugs every animal before going to bed and then hands it to you to give a hug as well. And the most adorable thing is a little chuckle when she is about to do something she loves, whether it be eat strawberries or go outside to pop bubbles. Life should be so simple.

Having technical difficulties and can't post photos...will post soon but had to at least get this up before another 3 months passed!!

Baby Camille Version 2.0

We're home after Camille's big day yesterday -- surgery to fix her cleft palate and to put tubes in her ears (despite not having ANY ear infections to date...more as a precautionary measure and to drain fluid). She did beautifully and required no packing at the surgery site, just a few stitches. So far, we've already heard a few new sounds and she enjoyed a few bites of yogurt and applesauce, with Ta-Da!...NO reflux!! So far, she's handled the "restraints" (they look like "flat floaties" at her elbows) very well and still manages to crawl/scoot and cruise. With the exception of a some fussiness (understandably!), she's our cheery and bright Camille! Of course we LOVE whatever version she presents to us but I have a feeling 2.0 will get even more rave reviews! Pictures to come soon --

New Year, New Joys

Camille has been delighted with a new musical walker (well, she has to do the walking, which she's not quite yet doing, thankfully, but cruises, crawls, pulls up and occasionally falls down) she received from her Grandma & Grandpa. Thank you!






And the game we could play for hours...

Holidaze in Review

As my last post suggested, life got a little crazy back in November and December but on the heels of 2 weeks "off" I'm slowing catching up. We've had more visitors, more milestones and more adventures in Kansas. Sadly, we weren't able to make it to see some very important people but we'll just have to look forward to seeing them in 2010! Ellen, Camille missed you! Aunt Caroline, we missed your delicious Christmas meal! Betsy, we missed seeing Minnie and I especially missed seeing Camille with another pooch, more her size. On the bright side, we had a great time in Lawrence with Gran and Granddad with all his toys! Eric and I even managed to make it to Yellow Sub -- yummy as ever. Thanks to everyone for making our holiday spirits bright!

As I type this, Eric is valiantly trying to give Camille bites of peas and after 2 spoonfuls, it's "ACHOOO!" And out come the peas. The behaviorist in me is saying, "we don't want to make this an aversive experience so maybe we should just wait until after the surgery (which by the way, has been scheduled for January 28th!) to increase the chance we'll have it be a positive experience!" The mom in me is saying, "how cute, he really is able to keep her face clean!" By her smiles and sqeals, she seems to be enjoying herself.

The following are a smorgasbord of fun!

From Grandma & Grandpa's visit in November:


Fun with Daddy at the Wheelers for Thanksgiving -- thanks again for such a great time!

Let's Go!

'Tis the Season! (Well, 'twas)

Happy Birthday, Zach!! We had so much fun at your party! (sorry the beer bottle was left in the picture!)

Daddy, the Jungle Gym